CONDUCTIVE FACE-COOLED LASER CRYSTAL

摘要

A technique for passively removing heat from an optical element in a laser system through its optically transmissive faces. Heat is removed by way of optic ally transmissive heat sinks or other heat conducting media disposed adjacent the opt ically transmissive surfaces of the optical element. Heat is transferred out of the opt ical element in a direction parallel to the direction of propagation of energy, thus minimizing problems associated with thermal gradients. Devices employing optical elements s uch as nonlinear frequency conversion crystals and laser crystals may utilize the he at management approach of the present invention to achieve better performance. Heat is transferred to the heat conducting media by direct contact, or through narrow ga s-filled gaps disposed between the optical element and the heat conducting media.